the sky is crazy cool today
cotton ball clouds lined up in rows
neat and tidy
like a field with furrows
to the left I see but brilliant blue
where the clouds are few
they are all in the right sky
on this Mother’s Day
makin’ me smile
all the while
as they float, merge and blend
different now than they were then
the sun shines upon my face
soon at church we’ll sing of grace
and read of the Lord God high above
who made the firmament
which is crazy cool today
today I found myself wondering
what was Poe like as a child
was he all moody, broody darkness
from an early age
or did he have an impish grin
and a way of laughing at his own joke
before saying the punch line aloud
what did his mother think
did she worry
did she fret
or did she love him a little more
and stand between him and the world
lookin’ for a fight
if anyone dared hurt her little boy
for it’s all right to be different
to not follow the crowd
but it’s not all right to tease and belittle
those who see the world through poet’s eyes
today I found myself wondering
about Edgar Allen Poe’s mother
If I could eat, sleep, breathe art I’d be skinnier, covered in glue and paper pieces from collaging and smiling a serene smile because making art smooths out all the jagged edges on the inside, where no one can see. I love the process of making art as much as I love art itself. I’m smiling that smile now and sighing happy sighs because I’ve been making art for a few days straight. I created art last week too. Oh, yes. I needed that. More than I knew. Best of all, I’m not done yet. Round three shall begin once the laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, soccer games, school programs and orchestra concerts are done… I can’t wait to get started! ~ Janean
the stars are bright in the night sky
I could see the craters on the not quite full moon
the breeze was but a whisper
temperatures are balmy
the air is still heavy with humidity from sequential days of rain
feels like a summer night
tank top
flip flops
and all
soon
for the school year
is nearly done
on the edge of emotion
tamping back tears all day
no reason for it
I consider giving in
and letting the tears fall
but I already did my makeup
so I shove ‘em down again
they might be happy tears
for my oldest son’s 12th birthday
or relieved tears
for my father’s safe travel
or exhausted tears
from two weeks
of my own health battle
or apprehensive
it’s a chemo week tears
for my husband
most likely it’s just regular
I’m a girl and cry sometimes tears
even though it makes me mad to feel this way
and I don’t want to be a cliche
there you have it
tamping back tears all day
on the edge of emotion
“Happy Day Before Easter!”
it’s the kind of thing my mom always says
I’m the mom now
twas a magnificent sunrise
with red clouds
atop a golden glow
three dozen eggs are boiling
and the youngest boy age eight
is awake and asking, “When?”
“When are we going to dye eggs?”
soon
they are boiling now
and we wouldn’t start
without your brother
busy day
this Saturday
soccer game one at 11:30
soccer game two at 1:30
family meal at my in-laws at 4:00
Easter pageant (night two) at 7:00
a vet trip is pending
my sweet Blue pup had surgery on Wednesday
for, well, you know
and a hernia repair too
he’s pathetic and lethargic
and I’m a worried dog mom
we’re going to laugh, love, smile and cry
hopefully happy tears
perhaps growl a bit too
(and I’m not talkin’ about Blue)
for these are the things families do
indeed it is a
Happy Day Before Easter
…and I just bet
that my mom
will still wish me one
before the day is through
sing your song
with a tweet, tweet, tweet
and may it be
sweet, sweet, sweet
pleasing to the eyes and ears
as you share your heart
without any fears
sing your song
like the peaceful dove
coo, coo, coo
trilling from a perch above
sing your song
like the robin true
chirp, chirp, chirp
a sign of spring anew
sing like a cardinal male
so bold and strong
with a lighthearted lilt
to your song
try not to be a crow
CAW, CAW, CAW
from the treetops
about all YOU know
sing your song
like the smallest sparrow
peep, peep, peep
perched on wire narrow
sing your song
alongside birds of a feather
as you find one another
and sing together
My paternal grandmother was an avid bird watcher. My grandfather her ever faithful chauffeur. She kept her eyes peeled for first time sightings as she traveled the world. She also savored the visits from feathered friends to the feeders she kept filled at home. I notice the birds and their songs more, now that I’m spending so much time outdoors with the puppy. I’m thankful for that time spent under the sky above. It’s thinking time. Pondering time. Drink in the world time. Puppy playtime too. Recently there were five robins a bit surprised when Blue barreled around the corner, into his yard, and woofed them over to the neighbors.
wind whooshing
clouds hovering
darkness falling
the moon is full
yet hidden from view
no wonder I’m moody
sorta melancholy
a storm is brewing
for sure
better watch out
and take cover
before the rain falls
in torrential torrents
for the wind foretells
the power
about to be
unleashed
bring it on
rain soothes me
even by the bucketful
the rhythmic sound
the pelting moisture
anticipating
on the morrow
‘til then
‘night
sometimes I just want to be quiet
really, I do
no television talking
or video games blaring
no chatterboxing me
in the room
sometimes I just want to answer
with a serene smile
or a face streaked with silent tears
shhhh, no talking
it’s just too much
let’s simply be
for awhile
“Put on a happy face.”
words from my childhood
“Never let ‘em see you cry.”
words that echo in my head
I am a spin master
I can talk about anything
and everything
under the sun
or under a gray
and cloudy day
I can deflect
and reflect
and run my own game
I may fool a stranger
and new acquaintance
others though,
those closest,
know how to see behind
a smile too bright,
eyes a bit weary and damp,
to the heavy heart within
they put an end
to the spinning
with a hug
as the smile fades
tears fall
it’s OK
for them to see me cry
I am loved
by Him
Turquoise Tangles 